Top 5: Best Chainsaw Chains to Buy in 2017

So which chainsaw chain is the best? Chainsaw chains are different. Some chainsaw chains are the best for firewood cutting. And other chains is the best for other tasks such as hardwood cutting. That why you need to know which chain to buy. Below, you will find a list of top chainsaw chains for different jobs. Before we start, I want to tell you why there are only chains from Oregon and Stihl.

What is the best chainsaw chain brand?

First off, Oregon is the leader in chainsaw industry and it produces chains for every task from pruning with a small chainsaw to professional woodcutting. Yes, there is Husqvarna and other chainsaw chain manufacturers. But most of them are made by Oregon factory including Husqvarna chains. Stihl makes their chains by themselves and they have a lot of good chains. But sometimes it’s hard to find Stihl chainsaw chains in the USA. While Oregon is widely available in various sizes in many stores including online stores at the great price. Of course, you can take your car, drive around your city to find “exotic” chainsaw chain in stores. But at the end, it will cost you more time and more money than buying it online because of gas prices, car traffic and so on.

Best chainsaw chain for hardwood and for logging

Oregon SpeedCut System Chain

Available with pitch size: 0.325″

Gauge Size: 0.050″

Thanks to it Narrow Kerf design this chainsaw chain cuts faster than other chains. The main advantages of Oregon SpeedCut chains are: sharper, faster, easier. It’s cuts fast and easy because of the Narrow Kerf design. This chain is sharper and more durable than other chains and with proper chainsaw sharpener is easier to sharpen!

The only one disadvantage of this chain is that you have to buy special SpeedCut chainsaw guide bar to use this chain. But if you consider the fact that you need to change chainsaw guide bar from time to time, then special guide bar are no disadvantage at all. Because sooner or later you will need a new one and when that time will come, then why not buy a SpeedCut System chainsaw chain guide bar? Price for this chain is not very expensive so it’s a great choice for cutting hardwood and for logging.

This chain is available for chainsaw bars from 13″ up to 20″ with pitch size 0.325″ and 0.050″ gauge size. Amount of drive links varies so finding the right chainsaw chain won’t be that hard.

Lower is better

Best chainsaw chain for firewood cutting

Oregon ControlCut System Chain 🏆

Available with pitch size: 0.325″, 3/8″, 1/4″

Gauge Size: 0.043″, 0.050″, 0.058″

For firewood cutting the best chainsaw chain is the one that can work in various conditions. And the one that stay sharp longer and is easier to sharp when it’s becomes dull. For task such as firewood cutting the best pick would be Micro-Chisel or Semi-Chisel chain. Because tree logs may contain a dirt on them since it was stored outside during the bad weather and laying on the ground.

Full chisel chainsaw chain hates dirt and go dull extremely fast in that conditions and sometimes are harder to sharpen. But semi/micro-chisel is like a “hybrid” chain. It has characteristic of a full chisel chain (fast cutting speed) and stays sharp longer and easier to sharpen than full chisel chain. That’s whyOregon ControlCut micro-chisel chain is such a great chain for firewood cutting. Also, it’s good for occasional chainsaw user, has very userful feature as low-kickback and low-vibration design. Oregon ControlCut has excelent perfomance and easy maintance.

Best chainsaw chain for hardwood cutting from Stihl

Stihl Rapid Super and Rapid Super Comfort

Available with pitch size: 0.325″ , 3/8″ ,0.404″

Gauge Size: 1.6mm

It’s might be hard to get the chainsaw chain from Stihl in the USA but in the UK they are widely available. If you want to check if this particular chain is available in your country then click on the button below and the new window will open with the availability information of Stihl chain in your country. Stihl Rapid Super and Rapid Super Comfort chain is designed for professionals who need the best chainsaw chain for anything including: bucking, limbing, felling and hardwood cutting.

Difference betwen Rapid Super and Rapid Super Comfort is low-vibration feature in the last one. And the Rapid Super Comfort 3 has low-vibration and low kickback design. Beware that if you are not very experienced user then using a chain without low kickback design may be dangerous thing to do and all manufacturers advise to use chain with such feature.

Best Stihl chainsaw chain for all-purpose. For light chainsaws

Stihl Picco Micro 🏆

Available with pitch size: 3/8″ , 3/4″

Gauge Size: 1.1mm (0.043″), 1.3mm (0.050″)

For all-around use on a light chainsaws, this chain is one of the best. Stihl Picco Micro is a Semi-chisel chain so it’s demonstrates excellent cutting speed and it’s not hard to sharpen this chain. Also, this chainsaw chain is great for homeowners who are not yet mastered a chainsaw use as it has low-vibrating and what is more important LOW KICK back design so it safer to use. So if you need chainsaw chain for differenr jobs (firewood cutting, limbing, wood carving) then it’s a great choice.

Best chainsaw chain for all conditions

Stihl Rapid Duro and Rapid Duro 3

Available with pitch size: 0.325″ (only Rapid Duro 3), 3/8″

Gauge Size: 1.6mm

If you need top carbide chainsaw chain for working in all conditions such as cutting frozen wood or dirty woods, hardwood and firewood cutting, logging then there is a beast in chainsaw chain world – Stihl Rapid Duro and Rapid Duro 3. The last one has low-vibration and low kickback design so it suitable for any homeowners while the Rapid Duro is good for a professionals. According to Stihl, this chain stays sharp four time longer than other chains. It’s deliver amazing cutting perfomance in various conditions and good for occasional use. For only small tasks this chainsaw chain can be overkill but if you need top “do it all” piece of equipment then this chain is what you need. Disadvantage of Stihl Rapid Duro is that it cost like 3 to 4 times more than other chains.

Chainsaw Chain Sharpening and Safety

Also, don’t forget that every chainsaw chain must be sharpened from time to time and for such task you will need a chainsaw sharpener. It’s not hard to use and will save you a lot of money in long term. Another good things to have when working with a chainsaw is protective clothing.